JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – State Rep. Brad Raffensperger has announced his intention run for the office of Georgia Secretary of State in 2018.

Incumbent Brian Kemp has announced he will run for governor in 2018.

As a business owner and a licensed professional engineer Raffensperger said he is familiar with the duties of the secretary of state who oversees professional licensing.

“In fact I have been working with Secretary Kemp in the General Assembly on a bill that has passed both houses of the General Assembly and is awaiting Gov. Deal’s signature,” said Raffensperger.

The bill streamlines the licensing process for professionals to allow them to obtain a three-year professional license rather than the current one-year term.

“Going through that process got me thinking about other ways to streamline the process that would save time and money for both the business people and the government,” he said.

Raffensperger said it is also time to take another look at securing the voting process.

“That is not just a Georgia issue, but one that is being looked at nationally. Secretary Karen Handel brought in new voting machines during her tenure, but that was several years ago.

“Those machines are getting old and tired. I think it is time we update our systems and look at new technology to ensure we have ballot integrity.”

Raffensperger took a look at the $30 million budget the secretary of state’s office manages. His engineering business does about $30 million annually also. He noted the secretary of state’s office has around 250 employees while his company has a payroll of 178 employees.

“I’m about 30 percent more efficient in what I do. I think we could reorganize and streamline the organization and give better service to the customer which is typically a small business owner,” he said.

Raffensperger said he wants to build on the good work Secretary Handel and Secretary Kemp have done.

He said he is making his intentions known early so that others could begin thinking about running for the House District seat 50 in the fall of 2018.

“Of course I will finish my term next spring before qualifying to run for secretary of state,” he said. “I just wanted to get this out early to respect the 50th and give people a chance to make a reasoned decision.”